General Assembly Junior. Agenda

Transcription

1 C S I A M U N X CHAIR REPORT General Assembly Junior Agenda (1) Promoting sustainable agriculture and food security in LDCs to tackle poverty (2) Promoting humanitarian aid to refugees suffering from the African drought crisis

2 Committee: General Assembly Jr. Agenda: Promoting sustainable agriculture and food security in LDCs to tackle poverty Chair: Youseung KIM, Sungjoo PARK 1. Introduction Worldwide poverty has been considered as a serious and an incessant problem. According to the United Nations, about 836 million people are suffering from extreme poverty. These people are facing hardships without basic necessities such as food, health, education, etc. The problem of poverty is intertwined with various issues, making it harder to solve. Out of all the victims of this international concern, the main sufferings are in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs); famine is one of the most crucial issues that the LDCs have faced. In order to eradicate the problem of hunger, considering lifestyles in LDCs is important. In the status quo, about 70% of the people in LDCs are involved in agricultural economies. However, their agricultural productivity is very low with land degradation issues and lack of technology. Also, there is a controversy because of the different perspectives. Farmers of LDCs want to preserve their indigenous crop diversity without harming the environment. In contrast, enterprises of developed countries want to utilize LDCs land for their own benefits by raising genetically modified crops or biofuels. The difference in the stakeholders stances leads to more constraints in solving the issue of poverty and food insecurity. Because of LDCs lack of infrastructure, there are some restrictions on eradicating poverty. To come up with a solution, the causations of poverty and lack of food security should be tackled first. Since 1997, when the General Assembly set poverty eradication as a theme of the sustainable development for the coming years, the member states of the United Nations has had the obligation to address the issue of food insecurity to achieve this goal. Like so, delegates of General Assembly Junior should focus on coming up with measures to ensure food security through sustainable agriculture that does not harm the locals lifestyles. 2. Definition of Key Terms Food security Food security is a state in which people can access to food with adequate quality and quantity. A country that is secure in food supply should not only be able to produce agricultural products but be able to process and transfer them to its citizens. Least Developed Country (LDC) Least Developed Countries have low income and hardships in solving their domestic problems. LDCs usually suffer from poverty caused by natural disaster and corrupt government. They lack the resources necessary for human dignities such as education, health, etc. of their citizens. The LDCs are reexamined every three years by the United

3 Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Sustainable agriculture Sustainable agriculture is a production of plant and animals, which in the long term, promotes achieving environmental friendliness, maintaining the vitality of farm operation, ensuring farmers wellbeing, and intensifying equity of the society. Not only the farmers but every individual involved in the process has a role in promoting sustainable agriculture. Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) Genetically Modified Organism or GMO is an organism that has its DNA transformed and modified through genetic engineering. Genetically modified crops (GMCs, GM crops, or biotech crops) are used in agriculture; some examples are corn, soy, canola, milk, etc. GMOs have aroused controversy since they have both advantages and disadvantages. The modification of the genes can lead to efficient production of food resources with better nutrient profile; however, it has the possibility to harm biodiversity that many farmers pursue. Another problem with this GM solution is that it is unnecessarily costly, when its implementation does not guarantee a success and has high possibilities of failure- mostly due to rapid climate changes and unpredictable weather. 3. Background Information As the advanced countries boosted up their development, their production has increased, market has expanded, and their economic standards have gone higher. On the other hand, LDCs have become even more isolated, with problems of poverty and hunger at their hands to be solved. About 385 million children are living with less than $1.90 a day, which is less than the World Bank international poverty line, a minimum level of income. The situations that LDCs are put in eventually lead to the widening economic gap between the developed countries and the developing nations. Both external and internal problems have arisen in LDCs as they suffered from poverty and food insecurity. In the status quo, about two thirds of LDCs citizens are involved in the primary sector. Although the majority of people are farmers, they are not able to make productions that are enough to feed the growing population of LDCs. The reason comes from various aspects; the lacks of infrastructure, technology, etc. are obstacles to food security. Environmental problems such as drought, flood, and infertile soil also contribute to low productivity and food insecurity. Making the situation worse, least developed countries also lack advanced technology that would enable them to recover from the aftermath of land degradation and natural phenomenon, other obstacles to agriculture. To resolve the issue of the lack of food production, GM technology has been promoted by developed countries. However, many farmers in LDCs disagree to the usage. Since GM technology harms the biodiversity in LDCs, the farmers believe that it is better to pursue their own seeds and crops. There were some cases with failures of modern seeds because they were not adjustable to the changing climate and unpredictable weather. Plus, there were other unsuccessful cases of GM crops in which the farmers became distressed

4 because of debt from pesticides. In the short run, it may seem that GM crops do not need chemicals to defend from pests and weeds. However, in the long run, GM crops require more pesticides because the pests and weeds become very resistant to the GMO trait. Although there are enough workforces and large areas of land for agriculture, the LDCs cannot get the best use out of them due to the dearth of efficient land allocation and technology. The land that should be used for agriculture by the locals is being exploited by enterprises from the developed countries. The ethical issue is that the foreign investors from developed countries try to cultivate land to grow biofuel crops, which are not a source of food. Even though biofuel crops are essential in the developed countries, they are no use in the LDCs. The land with biofuel crops could be utilized in other ways to benefit the locals, such as raising edible crops to tackle poverty derived from food insecurity. Therefore, an efficient allocation of food resources, land, and technology should be achieved first and foremost to prevent severer food shortages in LDCs. 4. Major Countries and Organizations Involved Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is an intergovernmental organization of the United Nations that has a goal to achieve food security. Its three main goals are eradication of hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition. It pursues both economic and social development with sustainable management and utilization of natural resources, including genetic ones. World Food Programme (WFP) The World Food Programme (WFP) is an intergovernmental organization associated with the United Nations. It is the biggest humanitarian organization that has the vision to fight for hunger and achieve food security in the world. Today, WFP is assisting 80 million people in 80 different countries. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) The United Nations Environment Programme promotes its environmental activities by setting their global environmental agenda. UNEP also promotes Sustainable Food System (SFS), which drives food security and nutrition by distributing food resources in an efficient and sustainable way. Sub-Saharan Africa According to the UN, Sub-Saharan Africa consists of countries that are located in the south of Sahara. It differs from North African countries who are the members of the Arab League. Countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa are suffering from extreme poverty, and nearly half of all children are the victims of this abject famine. Southern Asia Southern Asia is located in the southern region of Asia and its main constituent countries are Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, etc. The region is considered as one of the main areas of the world with myriad of cases of extreme poverty due to population strains and corruption.

5 5. Timeline of Key Events 1946 FAO organizes its first World Food Survey to observe if people had enough food and energy FAO establishes Food Security Assistance Scheme to aid developing countries for food security World Food Summit is organized by FAO in Rome United Nations Millennium Summit is held in New York in September as a special session of the UN General Assembly Food crisis in Niger erupts The Second Global Plan of action for Plant Genetic Resources for food and agriculture (Second GPA) is adopted by FAO Council at its 143rd Session in November Relevant UN Treaties, Resolutions and Events The following treaties and resolutions show the necessity of ensuring food security; they emphasize to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030, based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They also mention the sustainable usage of plant genetic resources to secure food: TC/D/I0510E/1/01.09/2000 International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations A/67/150 SG Report on Agriculture Development and Food Security A/71/100 Agriculture development, food security and nutrition Report of the Secretary-General 7. Previous Attempts to Solve the Issue The United Nations acknowledged the urgency to solve the problem of poverty by setting international goals: the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Its purpose was to eradicate poverty and hunger by ensuring environmental sustainability. There were numerous committee sessions held to devise policies that could achieve MDGs. In 2015, MDGs was transferred into Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which was set to end poverty of all forms in everywhere. FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) has been promoting water scarcity programs which manage agricultural water to reinforce agricultural productivity. Also, in November 2011, Second Global Plan of Action for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Second GPA) was established to ensure sustainable usage of plant genetic resources. The Second GPA promotes and considers plant genetic resources as a significant

6 factor for food security in the situation of climate change. According to Oxfam s case study, local Food Security Reserves (FSR) were created and managed by community organizations in Burkina. FSRs are utilized to contribute to food security by enabling access to food storages even in dry seasons. Although local food security reserves are meant to be a sustainable solution to food insecurity, they are not playing a pivotal role because of its vulnerability. Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) have also taken active action to combat this agenda. AAAE (Association Aidons l Afrique Ensemble), an organization located in seven provinces of Burkina Faso, plays a role in fighting poverty and food insecurity through its core activities. They conduct social development programs such as technical assistance, education, provide equipment, and build infrastructures for agriculture. Through these activities, AAAE focuses on the objective to strengthen the local community and reinforce the agricultural practices to make better living conditions and to secure food. 8. Possible Solutions Although the problems of poverty and hunger seem so complex, there are possible solutions to these dilemmas. Utilizing GM crops, or genetically modified crops can be a solution. Farmers in LDCs may not like the idea of GM crops since it harms the diversity of crops; also, raising GM crops does not raise their income levels. However, cultivating GM crops is considered as an efficient way to increase food production. This is because they bring better nutrient profile with decreased usage of chemicals. By decreasing the use of fertilizers and pesticides, the farmers can save up their money. Even more beneficial, it does not harm the environment, proving its possibility as a way to promote sustainable agriculture. The pest resistant GM crops lead to more production of food resources in the same yield of land. However, since the problems of GM crops such as an increasing requirement of pesticides are cropping up in the long term, more research and subsidies are necessary. To solve this issue, government or organization driven support is necessary towards the distressed farmers. Furthermore, more investment in GM crop research is needed in order to develop an efficient, eco-friendly, and sustainable agriculture. Another solution is to gain technological support from the developed countries. The LDCs lack infrastructure and technology to produce crops efficiently. Through developed countries technological support such as pest control methods, water suppliers, harvesting machines, etc, developing nations can improve the efficiency of their cropping practice. Although these solutions exist, much technological or economic support is not well conducted towards LDCs. Also, even if the aids are given, they are not distributed and spread towards the locals because of the lack of infrastructure. Therefore, delegates must come up with new efficient solutions to eliminate these problems that exacerbate the food insecurity in LDCs, and stay focused on pursuing sustainable agriculture.

7 Bibliography "FAO.org." About FAO FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 June "World Food Programme." Front page. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 June "Poverty - United Nations Sustainable Development." United Nations. United Nations, n.d. Web. 18 June "UN Environment." UN Environment. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 June "International treaty on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture." International treaty on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. N.p., n.d. Web. < "United Nations Official Document." Agriculture development, food security and nutrition Report of the Secretary-General. United Nations, n.d. Web. 29 June Promoting Local Food Security Reserves in the Sahel., Oxfam, July 2013, Nyambura, Million Belay and Ruth. GM crops won't help African farmers Million Belay and Ruth Nyambura. The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 24 June 2013, Accessed 29 Aug. 2